NATURALISATION, from the Latin Natures, natural. "If an alien be naturalised," says Coke ( Co. Lit., 129, a), " he shall be to all intents as a natural subject, and shall inherit as if he had been born within the king's legiance." (ALLEGIANCE.) This rule, however, is subject to some limitations. [ALIEN.] Formerly there could be no naturalisation except by Act of Parliament ; but a simple and inexpensive method of obtaining similar advantages to those possessed by naturalised subjects has been pro vided by the statute 7 & 8 Viet. c. 66. This Act enables any alien who has come to reside in the United Kingdom with a view of settling.
to present a memorial to the secretary of state, containing a statement of his age, profession, trade, or other occupation ; the length of time he has resided in this country, and the ground on which he seeks to obtain any of the rights of a British subject; and praying for a certi ficate, which must be granted before further steps can be taken. The certificate granted by the secretary of state recites such parts of the memorial as, alter duo investigation, are found to be true and material, and professes to confer upon the applicant the rights and privileges of a British subject, except the capacity of being a member of the Privy Council, or a member of the Houses of Parliament, and except the rights and capacities (if any) specially excepted in and by such certi ficate. This document must be enrolled in the Court of Chaucery,
and within sixty days after its date the memorialist must take and subscribe an oath of allegiance. It is considered to confer on the alien a temporary character only as a subject ; that is, the alien cannot, on returning to his own country, there claim the protection of the British flag as if he were a natural-born subject. The course of proceeding to be adopted by aliens wishing to become naturalised is left, so far as details are concerned, to the Secretary of State, and the fees are fixed by the Lo:ds of the Treasury.
The number of foreigners natnralised previous to the passing of 7 & 8 Viet. c. 66, did not on an average exceed seven or eight a-year, and the number who applied for letters of denization did not exceed twenty-five annually. It may be added that that statute naturalises de facto any alien woman who marries a British subject, in consequence of which, the notorious Mrs. Manning, when indicted with her husband for murder, was held not entitled to a jury de medtetate